Statistics and key figures

Top merchant fleets of the world by market value in bill. USD by segments as of 2016

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Despite challenging markets for shipping, Norway maintained its position as the world’s sixth largest shipping nation, measured by fleet value, in 2016.

The value of the global fleet has increased from USD 655 billion in 2006, to USD 914 billion in 2016. The estimated value of the global fleet in 2017 is USD 848 billion, a decrease of 7 per cent. The Norwegian fleet was valued at USD 51 billion in 2016, and the 2017 estimate is USD 48 billion. Greece, Japan, China, the USA and Germany are ranked ahead of Norway, with the UK, Singapore, South Korea and Denmark holding the next four spots. The ten largest nations measured by value are unchanged from the previous year, with only minor changes in the order. As in 2015, the offshore segment has the highest value in the Norwegian fleet. Only the USA has an offshore fleet with a higher value than Norway.

Laster:

Norwegian-controlled fleet by number of ships

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The Norwegian maritime industry is global, with strong positions in markets around the world. Norway is one of the world’s largest shipping nations, and one of only a few with a complete maritime cluster.

The number of ships in the Norwegian-controlled foreign-going fleet has remained basically unchanged over the past 18 months, and now stands at 1 723 vessels. Despite this, deadweight tonnage has grown by close to 9 per cent. The Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) alone had a net growth of more than 40 ships in the same period, with growth in deadweight tonnage of 8 per cent. Overall 82 newbuildings were delivered to the foreign-going fleet in 2016, with a large share of these going to NIS. In the first half of 2017, the number of newbuilds joining the foreign-going fleet was 26.

Laster:

Norwegian-controlled foreign-going fleet composition as of 1 July 2017, by number of ships

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The deep sea fleet consists of several segments where Norwegian shipowners are world leaders and control significant market shares. These segments include car carriers, tankers, dry bulk, LNG, chemical, container and general cargo, among others. Members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association control more than 550 ships in the deep sea segment. The ships make nearly 30,000 port calls around the world each year.

The Norwegian maritime offshore value chain is complete and Norway is one of the world’s largest maritime offshore nations. Members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association control more than 50 mobile offshore units, most of them drilling rigs, and the most advanced and modern offshore fleet in the world, consisting of 550 vessels.

The short sea segment transports passengers and all types of freight along the coast of Norway, and to and from European ports. Seaborne transport is an important part of the transportation system, and 40 per cent of European domestic transport goes by ship. Short sea shipping is critical for both commercial shipping needs and the competitiveness of Norwegian industry. Members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association control around 150 short sea ships. The industry contributes to efficient logistical and transportation solutions.

Laster:

Average age of vessels in the Norwegian-controlled fleet

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The average age of the Norwegian foreign-going fleet has gone down by roughly four years since 2007, to an average age of 9.8 years at July 1 2017. Both Norwegian-registered and foreign-registered vessels now has the same age, indicating that the hole fleet are undergoing continuous renewal, both through deliveries of new ships and second hand sales, aided by sale of ships for recycling.

Laster:

Norwegian-controlled orderbook - number of ships and value

Norwegian international shipowners had a total of 66 vessels on order as of July 1 2017. Compared to January 1 2016, this figure represents a decline of over 55 per cent seen in number of ships, and close to 60 per cent by value in NOK. Globally, the contracting activity in 2016 fell to its lowest level in over 30 years, both in terms of numerical and tonnage terms. This is to be seen in most vessel segments.

Laster:

Norwegian-controlled orderbook - number of units and value

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Norwegian offshore mobile unit companies had 2 units on order as of July 1 2017, with a value of NOK 4.2 billion. The two drillships are being built in Asia, with scheduled delivery for one in 2017, and one in 2018.